If you're going for style boots over work/roper/kicker/riding boots, I'd HIGHLY recommend you get yourself a pair of Old Gringos. They're mighty pricey, but fit like slippers, look great, hand made/tooled in Mexico. My girlfriend got me these a while back and I love them (here). If that's out of your price range, my Dan Posts are pretty comfy and were much cheaper. Shop around as you can find the same boots on 5 sites and get 5 prices that may be up to $100 apart.
Also, if this is your first pair, try some on in a local store if you can just to see what size you should be and what fits. Remember, they'll fit tight when you first put them on but will mold to your feet. The better the boots, the quicker they will mold. My Gringos did right away. I just got my girl a pair of Charlie 1 Horse (Here) and she said they fit like slippers right away. This is her 2nd pair of Charlies and she has two pairs of Corrals that she loves. Charlies are made by Lucchese - another expensive boot company but great quality, great customer service.
If you want to go all out fancy schmancy, look into some Liberty Boots, Star boots or Black Jack boots. Some of the hand tooled ones are crazy but crazy expensive too.
For stores, I've had good luck with zappos.com, endless.com (both merged recently - owned by Amazon), boothideout.com, sheplers.com (been to the store in Orlando - huge, really nice), but again, shop around once you think you've found something you like. You may find them much cheaper than the first place - and some places (zappos/endless) offer free shipping and free return shipping incase they don't fit.
I wear them, but haven't bought a new pair in years (the upside to buying really good boots and taking care of them). I'm not sure they're even legal up in Yankeeland. If you were in Texas I'd say go here; http://www.cavenders.com/
Fit can vary widely depending on the brand; a good pair of boots is not something I'd be comfortable buying online.
Thanks for the really good advice boys! I will go around the stores here first and try a few on, but I reallly like some of the brands that were suggested. I didn't however expect the price tags lol! I guess you ought to pay when there's quality...
I love my Tony Lamas. Fit is highly individual, even more so for cowboy boots. One thing I would suggest when buying non-custom boots is buy them snugger than looser, as they are going to stretch as they break in. If you get boots that are not snug at first, they are going to end up sloppier fitting in the future.
I love my Wolverine Wellingtons. I've had 3 pairs that have lasted me six years, wearing them almost daily. I pounded concrete in a 250,000 sq.ft. warehouse and they kept my feet feeling great. not the fanciest boots though. I like em because they are available in wide sizes and have a more rounded toe so they are more comfortable for me.
You can't go wrong with some luchesse. I own two pairs one ostrich brown and the other are black european goat leather. They are alittle expensive but worth every penny. They make great boots they have lasted me for years. I recommend you check out cavenders.com and sheplers.com
I've got wide feet and a narrow wallet, been wearing Durango's for years. Not real pointy toes, takes a couple (to 6) months to break them in, after that it's like wearing house slippers, except you can do anything in them.
Try looking at rodpatrick.com. I have alot of problems with my feet and my local dealer sent me to him. He looked at my feet and put me in a pair of boots that fit like a glove. If I am not mistaken, his boots are handmade in Mexico by old school cobblers on true lasts. I am really pleased with mine and have not looked back.
Comments
Also, if this is your first pair, try some on in a local store if you can just to see what size you should be and what fits. Remember, they'll fit tight when you first put them on but will mold to your feet. The better the boots, the quicker they will mold. My Gringos did right away. I just got my girl a pair of Charlie 1 Horse (Here) and she said they fit like slippers right away. This is her 2nd pair of Charlies and she has two pairs of Corrals that she loves. Charlies are made by Lucchese - another expensive boot company but great quality, great customer service.
If you want to go all out fancy schmancy, look into some Liberty Boots, Star boots or Black Jack boots. Some of the hand tooled ones are crazy but crazy expensive too.
For stores, I've had good luck with zappos.com, endless.com (both merged recently - owned by Amazon), boothideout.com, sheplers.com (been to the store in Orlando - huge, really nice), but again, shop around once you think you've found something you like. You may find them much cheaper than the first place - and some places (zappos/endless) offer free shipping and free return shipping incase they don't fit.
Fit can vary widely depending on the brand; a good pair of boots is not something I'd be comfortable buying online.